DURHAM, N.C. – The reigning ACC Champion and 21st ranked Duke volleyball team is set to open the 2014 campaign in seven days. Duke’s own Blue Devil Network stopped by practice to check in on the team’s preseason progress.

Under the guidance of 2013 ACC and AVCA All-East Coach Region Coach of the Year Jolene Nagel, Duke (28-5, 18-2 ACC) advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the ACC-leading 18th time in program history. The Blue Devils captured the 2013 ACC Championship in thrilling fashion, rallying for a five-set decision over rival North Carolina in the regular season finale to avoid a three-way tie for the conference crown.

Duke returns 11 letterwinners and five starters from last year’s team, including ACC Player of the Year and third team All-American Emily Sklar as well as AVCA honorable mention All-Americans Maggie Deichmeister and Jeme Obeime.

The team will hold a free volleyball clinic Saturday, Aug. 22 in Cameron Indoor Stadium for girls in the fourth-eighth grades, followed by an open scrimmage. The Blue Devils open the season with the Duke Invitational, its annual tournament held in Cameron. North Florida, High Point and Furman are set to participate in this year’s tournament which runs Aug. 29-30.